Relevance of Christianity questioned by students
By PATRICIA PRUITT
Sundays, the churches downtown are filled with KU students.
They crowd around first one and then another daring, different, and forthright ministers.
Few will accept completely the doctrines of the denomination written on their religious preference IBM cards.
THEY QUESTION the validity of church spirit of community. They complain that churches are purely social institutions for showing off flowered hats and playing bingo.
They debate the universality of Christianity. "If you can accept another's right to his opposing
Second of a four-part series
religion, then Christ must not be the only way to get to heaven, as Christians claim. Then is He all He is supposed to be?"
Three campus Protestant ministers answer, however, that "there are some who do not question enough."
"Those who ask questions," says the Rev. Maynard Strothmann of United Campus Christian Fellowship, "haven't gotten around to the most serious question: 'What does it mean to be man? What is our responsibility as Christians in our life, in our world today?' All other questions are founded in this one question."
THE REV. THOMAS WOODWARD of Episcopal Canterbury House said, "We're a place that raises questions, not an answering machine."
Father Woodward and the Rev. Rehorn of Methodist Wesley Foundation concurred with Rev. Strothmann: "The church is traditionally a questioning sort of thing. That's how the social aspect of churches came about—the community gathered to discuss and question, and what if they had coffee and doughnuts, too? Then, however, the conversations sometimes moved away from the purposes."
"There is urgency in those who do come to the centers," said Father Woodward, "but even they don't take enough time. If I ask a boy to read maybe 120 pages of a book which I think will explain the idea more quickly than two days of talking, he never has time."
Rev. Strothmann finds hope, however. "The students' questioning involves asking questions and questioning answers. But they doubt in affirmation. When you doubt, you do so from the standpoint of something you have affirmed."
THE STUDENT FINDS CONFLICT in his freedom to change and his responsibility, he said.
Thus, an active Methodist, three agnostics and an atheist will sit together and all question relevancy of religion today. (The ratio is common.)
Relevancy is the question.
"I don't care whether it was a virgin birth or not," one girl said. "I want to know what relevancy God has in my life every day."
In reaching out to the doubters, Father Woodward and Rev. Rehorn said they combine this need for explanation of relevancy and social needs. Father Woodward emphasized that their ministry was not to draw people to the student centers, but to get them going to churches as genuine worshippers.
However, the centers utilize such social "catalysts" as the civil rights march and sit-ins two years ago to draw attention to service to man and to God and to evoke a crusading spirit.
Right now, Rehorn said, the spirit is gone, and they are awaiting the rise of another social catalyst.
MEANWHILE, projects such as the Fiery Furnace coffeehouse in Canterbury basement evoke more questioning.
Its purpose, Father Woodward said, was to serve the university's need for open forum, to create an atmosphere for contemplation, for more questioning, and to make familiar the feeling of community in contemplation.
Youth of today finds escape in rock'n' roll
By JOHN BOYER
The impetus for rock n' roll lies with a man named Bill Haley. In 1955, Haley made a recording of "Rock Around the Clock," which sold over one million copies.
Rock 'n' roll, a combination of country-western and rhythm and blues, launched itself into an orbit of popularity it has maintained for 11 years.
Elvis Presley in 1956, cut a record "Heartbreak Hotel," in Nashville, Tenn., studio. His hip-slinging style niched his name in the all-time popularity polls.
All the protests of the critics were to no avail when rock 'n' roll first made the scene. The music of the swinging generation is still going strong with new
faces and new sounds. Many of the rock 'n' roll personalities are worshiped almost to the extent of being demigods.
WHAT IS THERE about the music that appeals to so many teenagers all over the world?
Legislative officer will talk to CYR
Carroll Clark, KU professor of sociology, believes the music's popularity stems from the fact that youngsters like to dance to its nonconforming style.
"Rock n' roll is an escape from formality. The dances are sheer expressiveness with the shouts and body contortions. Also, the music doesn't conform and this adds to its popularity with a non-conformist youth," he said.
The next Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives will speak tonight at a meeting of the KU Young Republican Club.
Clark added that he did not think rock 'n' roll was as "bad" as some people thought, but it could be boring to those who do not dance to it and to those whose taste is in other musical areas.
John Conard (Greensburg-R) will talk at 7:30 tonight in the Forum Room of the Kansas Union.
He has been virtually guaranteed the post of Speaker, as he is the only representative who has declared his candidacy in the Republican legislature.
He is expected to discuss the legislative sessions which open next week.
WILL HARDESTY, Wheat Ridge, Colo., junior, likes rock 'n' roll because "It is a part of the times I live in, more than the other types of music. It's fast, nonconforming and repetitious. I like the sound and the chord progressions," he said.
Paul Longren, Lawrence senior, likes to listen to rock 'n' roll while he studies. "It's fast and good to work to," he explained.
Bill Haley founded the music that won the hearts of youth living in a fast, nonconforming society. This music fills the need of young people, and their reception shows how well the rock 'n' roll sound has succeeded.
10 Daily Kansan Thursday, January 5, 1967
ATTENTION SENIORS:
A New Year is here and with the New Year comes a necessity for a new Calendar listing all University events. If you are a senior who paid your class dues, you can have FREE the 1967 SENIOR CLASS CALENDAR listing all the events that will be happening at KU this year.
All you do is stop by the Alumni Office at 127 Strong Hall, present your Senior I.D. and walk away with your attractive 1967 Calendar. If you are not a senior, or did not pay your class dues, you may pick up a Calendar for only $1.00.
Hurry while they last.